So, are you afraid of clothes or being without them? Whether it be in front of many or only certain people, vestiphobia and gymnophobia complement one another. Gymnophobes fear being seen naked and vestiphobes fear clothing. These gymnophobic peoples fear may stem from anxiety about sexuality in general, or from a feeling of vulnerability associated with the thought of being exposed and unprotected while vestiphobes may not want to feel the natural protection felt while clothed.

Vesti - is from the same root word as vestment (a word meaning something you wear)

This phobia often stems from a specific trauma usually from childhood and often seen to be of a sexual nature. How much of this is due to Freudian thinking is unclear.

Vestiphobia has long been associated with a compulsive desire to disrobe. This is not the same as various exhibitionist disorders (often overtly sexual) where the subject needs to display their body to the public (such as the flasher) but rather a desire to be free from clothing[/center].